How to Travel on the Cheap

Whether you are traveling locally, regionally or across continents, the financial impacts of the trip can be immense. However, you don’t have to spend more money to get an incredible travel experience. There are many ways you can enjoy traveling even when you have a tight budget. Here are some of the best ways to travel on the cheap.

Prioritize Your Needs

Just like most people do it in their day to day expenditures, decide on the basic things that you can’t go on a trip without. Focus on the experience that you want to enjoy and prioritize your needs based on the budget. For instance, if you are going to spend most of your time outdoors sightseeing, consider booking a hostel instead of a hotel.

Use Budget Airlines

Flight costs are among the main items that spoil the budgets of most travelers. If you must use a flight, take time to do some research on budget airlines of your destination. There are many cheap flights in most countries across the world that you can travel with at lower rates.

Make Payments with Points

If you are a frequent traveler, obtain a travel card that enables you to earn points every time you use it to travel. You can redeem these points later to make payments for different items, get flight tickets, and book accommodation at certain hotels, among other expenses. While it may take time to accumulate enough points, credit card points can help you save money on your trips.

Create a Flexible Travel Schedule

When your travel schedule is flexible, it is easier to find better deals. Many hotels and airlines have great deals for travelers during off peak seasons. Sometimes, obtaining early bird tickets can see you pay much less for the trip.

Apart from these ideas, you should also be keen to make informed decisions. Share ideas with other travelers and ask for recommendations when planning trips to avoid over spending.

Posted by admin in Travel Planning
on Mar 8th, 2018 | Comments Off on Traveling with Kids- Health Risks to Know

Traveling with Kids- Health Risks to Know

When traveling with kids, there are health risks that you should know and avoid. It is estimated that 1.9 million American children are involved in international travels every year. And, this number keeps increasing.

Generally, children face health risks that their parents face when they travel. However, consequences tend to be more serious in children than in their parents. There are also conditions that are not easily recognizable in children, especially if the kids are not talking.

Here are some of the health risks to know about when traveling with kids:

Diarrhea

This is among the most common diseases that are experienced by traveling children. Breastfeeding is the best way to prevent diarrhea among infants when traveling. But when traveling with older children to developing countries, follow the basic water and food precautions. For instance, eat food that is served hot only and wash and peel fruits before you eat. Also drink beverages that are in sealed containers only.

Diarrhea can become a serious problem in small children and infants and cause dehydration. Therefore, give children with this condition fluid in plenty. Usually, it’s not necessary to give children medicine.

Bugs-Related Diseases

Children that travel to places that are prone to bugs-related diseases like malaria should be given drugs to prevent them. Your doctor will tell you the most appropriate medicine for your kids. Majority of these drugs taste bitter. However, it’s possible for the pharmacist to pulverize capsules and place the powder in gelatin capsule which is flavorless.

It’s important to note that malaria drugs may not be 100% effective. What’s more, insects spread other diseases like dengue, trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis too. Therefore, children should be protected from bug bites while traveling. Long sleeves, pants, and bug sprays can also help.

Rabies

Rabies affects traveling children when they play with strange animals. Therefore, tell your kids to stay away from animals when traveling. Additionally, tell them to let you know if they are bitten by strange animals immediately. Use water and soap to wash a bite by any animal thoroughly. Also make sure that kids receive medical attention immediately.

Accidents

When traveling with kids, you should be careful to avoid car crashes. Drowning is also a common accident among traveling kids. Make sure that kids take age appropriate seats while traveling in a car. Also supervise kids closely and make sure that they put life preservers when playing around water bodies.

Bear in mind these risks and avoid them while traveling with kids to make your trip safe and successful.

Posted by admin in Travel Planning
on Feb 28th, 2018 | Comments Off on Traveling with a Criminal History

Traveling with a Criminal History

The internet has limited information about traveling with a criminal history. That’s because most countries do not stop people from entering just because they have an antiquated or insignificant criminal history. What’s more, this is a non issue in most countries.

However, there is a certain level of hyper-awareness about this issue in some countries including North America. Canada and the US have measures in place to bar border crossing for people that have a criminal history. That means you will be scrutinized further if the immigration officials and relevant authorities realize that you have a criminal history.

Relevant Information

In most countries where criminal history is an issue of concern, relevant information is readily available. For instance, you will find information on traveling with a criminal history on the website of the immigration agency. Criminals are not welcomed in many countries for obvious reasons. However, the criminal history required to deny someone entry into a nation or the duration that has passed since their last conviction differs radically among countries.

For instance, even a minor conviction for a criminal offense that occurred 50 years ago can make North America deny you entry. On the other hand, there are countries that require criminal conviction to be of a violent nature to deny you entry. For some countries to deny you entry, the crime must be serious.

Common Criminal Offenses

There are common criminal offenses that most countries consider to deny individuals entry. Generally, recent and violent criminal convictions are entry issues in most countries. People in parole or probation are required to follow the strict travel policies that their probation officers have set to the letter. Leaving a country without permission from the probation officer is treated as a violation.

Tips

When traveling to a county that considers criminal history, answer all questions asked when applying for a visa truthfully. Also be honest throughout the customs process. That’s because providing false statements will cause permanent or lengthy bar to the country particularly Canada and the US. Nevertheless, a country like United Kingdom has a “spent” conviction concept. Thus, such convictions may not affect you if you meet “spent” convictions conditions.

Posted by admin in Travel Planning
on Feb 18th, 2018 | Comments Off on Traveling to Visit Friends or Relatives

Traveling to Visit Friends or Relatives

One day while visiting Texas on one of my many trips, I was having dinner with a friend of mine that own’s san antonio windshield repair and he came to the conclusion that there are risk factors that people traveling to visit friends or relatives abroad are exposed to. Some of these individuals travel to places with higher risks of some diseases and stay there longer. They also eat the local food and drink water that may not be treated. Unfortunately, some people travel to visit friends or relatives without seeking pre-travel advice or getting adequate vaccinations.

Seek Medical Advice

Before you travel to visit friends or relatives, it’s important that you seek medical advice. It’s unfortunate that many people travel to visit relatives in foreign countries without doing this. This implies that they are not aware of the health risks that they face while away from home. Others have a different perception of the risks that they face whenever they travel to visit their relatives.

It’s however imperative that you always talk to your doctor about your travel plan before you leave your home. Essentially, see your healthcare provider at least six weeks in advance. Your doctor will give you advice on how to reduce the risk of injury and sickness when you travel.

Discuss Your Immunization History with the Doctor

If you are traveling as a family, discuss the history of immunization of every family member that you will be traveling with. Let your doctor know when each family member was immunized last including children. It’s recommended that you have up-to-date routine vaccines when traveling. As such, your doctor will determine whether any family member needs vaccination before you travel.

Your travel destination will determine the necessary vaccines to have before the trip. Some older travelers and children are immune-compromised. That means they are at a higher risk of developing diseases. Therefore, your healthcare provider will provide personalized medical care to ensure their protection.

Conduct Some Research

Take time to conduct some research of your travel destination. Find out whether there is a risk of specific diseases at your location. You can ask the relatives that you are visiting about this. This will enable you to reduce the risk of contracting the diseases when you travel. Also find out about the security and political situation in your destination before you travel. This will ensure your safety during the trip.

Additionally, carry enough cash and items that you will need while away from home. And, don’t forget to buy gifts for your relatives.

Posted by admin in Travel Planning
on Feb 9th, 2018 | Comments Off on Tips on How to Prepare for Travel to Dangerous Destinations

Tips on How to Prepare for Travel to Dangerous Destinations

Governments and media are not always accurate in reporting violence in some travel destinations. Essentially, the media does not report the exact place where violence erupts. Thus, there is no clear distinction between south and north or local towns and tourists’ towns.

Truth is that though terrorist attacks, civil uprising, and protests occur in some parts of a tourist destination or country, there are parts that are not affected by this violence. Therefore, it’s still possible to travel to dangerous destinations, have fun, and go back home safely. Here are tips that should guide you on a trip to a dangerous destination.

Isolate Risks

The first and most important thing to do is to know the exact danger that you will face when you travel to a particular destination. After all, mugging can happen anywhere including in the U.S. Car crashes, plane accidents, rapes, murders, and terrorist attacks happen everywhere. Therefore, the most important thing is to know the risks that you are likely to face. That way, you will know the most appropriate precautionary measures to take when you travel to a dangerous destination.

Manage Potential Danger

Once you know the risks that you are likely to face when you travel to a dangerous destination, manage potential danger. For instance, you may have to get visas, vaccinations, have a clear plan, or leave a trail. Also find out where the nearest embassy is, alternative routes, and how to get emergency medical assistance while at the destination.

Share Itinerary Details

Apart from sharing the full details of your itinerary with loved ones, include information on key concerns as well as worst-case plans. It’s also wise to give embassy numbers to your itinerary partner, local guides, your host, or driver.

Keep in Touch

Don’t get too busy and forget to watch news or call your loved ones back home. Even if you are in remote areas where there is poor mobile phone network, look for a way to communicate with your loved ones. Let them know you are fine and having fun.

Come up with an Escape Plan

Think of a way to escape in case violence escalates. If violence spreads to your destination, don’t wait. Instead, flee immediately because you don’t know what will happen next.

Follow these tips when planning to travel to dangerous destinations and you will be safe and have fun.

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